Japan’s aging population crisis heightens as almost 40,000 died in 2024 so far

Japan’s National Police Agency recently released a report in which it revealed that nearly 40,000 individuals in the country died alone in their homes in the first half of 2024, the BBC reported.

According to the report, almost 4,000 of the dead were not discovered…[Read more]

Nearly 40,000 people died home alone in Japan this year, report says

Almost 40,000 people died alone in their homes in Japan during the first half of 2024, a report by the country’s police shows.
Of that number, nearly 4,000 people were discovered more than a month after they died, and 130 bodies went unmissed for a year before they were found, a…[Read more]

Typhoon Shanshan causes widespread Japan disruption

Trains and flights have been cancelled in Japan as one of the strongest typhoons to hit the country in decades drenches cities in its path.

At least six people have been killed and more than 100 injured after Typhoon Shanshan made landfall in the south-western Japan on Thursday.
Now downgraded…[Read more]

Japan rail disruption spreads as typhoon crawls eastward

Disruption to shinkansen bullet train services in Japan continued Saturday as slow-moving Typhoon Shanshan lingered in western Japan, causing heavy rain in wider parts of the country.

JR Central will continue suspending many trains on its Tokaido Shinkansen Line on Sunday, mainly affecting…[Read more]

Far-right AfD eyes big gains in German elections

Voters in Germany’s two eastern states are due to cast their ballots in elections in which the far right is expected to perform strongly.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been polling top in Thuringia ahead of Sunday’s vote, while the party has been running neck-and-neck for first place with…[Read more]

Austria to work with Germany on deportations of people with criminal records to Afghanistan

Austria’s Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum has said that deportations to Afghanistan are permissible on a case-by-case basis due to the changed security situation in the country.

Austria has fallen in line with Germany and said it intends to…[Read more]

Germany expels head of banned Muslim association

Germany has told the Iranian head of the recently banned Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) that he is being expelled from the country and has two weeks to leave, authorities in Hamburg said on Thursday.
The interior ministry of the German city state of Hamburg said in a statement that it had informed…[Read more]

Germany deports 28 Afghans for first time since 2021 Taliban takeover

‘Our security counts,’ German interior minister says as government confirms those deported are convicted criminals.

Germany has deported 28 Afghan nationals charged with criminal acts, in the first such move since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 202…[Read more]

Deportation flight leaves Germany for Afghanistan

A flight has taken off from an airport in eastern Germany deporting individuals to Afghanistan. It is the first deportation of Afghans since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021.

A deportation flight to Afghanistan has left Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport, the Interior Ministry for the state…[Read more]

France on charm offensive as New Caledonia simmers

For the Pacific Islands, climate change, geopolitics and security have often been the bread and butter of any summit.
But at this year’s Pacific Island Forum Leader’s Meeting – the region’s biggest diary event – there was another hot topic thrown into the mix: that of New Caledonia and the unres…[Read more]

Paralympics organisers forced to change Triathlon plans over Seine water quality concerns

With rain forecast for Paris, concerns about the River Seine’s water quality has prompted a change to the schedule of the swimming leg of the Paralympic triathlon, organisers said Thursday. The swimming part of the event will take place on September 1,…[Read more]

Telegram boss banned from leaving France in criminal probe

Telegram boss and founder Pavel Durov has been placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organised crime on the messaging app, Paris prosecutors say.
Mr Durov, 39, has not been remanded in custody, but placed under judicial supervision, and has to pay a €5m (…[Read more]

Serbia makes a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a shift away from Russia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday announced a $3 billion deal to buy 12 French warplanes, in a move that shifts his country away from its dependence on Russian arms.

The announcement about the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets was made during a…[Read more]

Their loved ones died after receiving pig organ transplants. The families have no regrets.

David Bennett Jr. knelt by his bedside, phone in hand, anxiously awaiting a call that no one had ever received: The hospital was due to update him on whether his father was still alive after getting a new heart — from a pig.

It was the first time any l…[Read more]

Harris defends her policy changes in first interview: ‘My values have not changed’

Vice President Kamala Harris was pressed about her policy evolutions Thursday in her first interview since she became the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, sitting alongside her running mate, Tim Walz.

The highly anticipated interview, with CNN’s Dana Bas…[Read more]

When the US left Kabul, these Americans tried to help Afghans left behind. It still haunts them

The United States’ longest war is over. But not for everyone.

Outside of San Francisco, surgeon Doug Chin has helped provide medical assistance to people in Afghanistan via video calls. He has helped Afghan families with their day-to-day living e…[Read more]

Ballot measures in 41 states give voters a say on abortion and other tough questions

Life, death, crime and taxes will be on ballots for voters to decide this fall.

More than 140 measures are going before voters in 41 states during the general election alongside choices for president and other top offices. The ballot questions will give voters a…[Read more]

Everything you need to know about the upcoming NSW local elections

Residents across 128 councils in NSW will cast their vote for their local government elections next month.
The NSW Electoral Commission will conduct the elections for 126 councils, while Liverpool and Fairfield City Councils will use a commercial election provider.
Local g…[Read more]

Last minute evidence tendered in defamation trial between Senator Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins

Lawyers for Brittany Higgins and Linda Reynolds have returned to court as the landmark defamation trial between the pair nears its end.

Lawyers for Senator Linda Reynolds and Brittany Higgins have returned to the WA Supreme Court as the…[Read more]

‘Destructive’ weather warning for southern Australia after week-long soaking

‘Seek shelter now’: NSW Bushfire erupts
‘Seek shelter now’: NSW Bushfire erupts
‘Appalling’ act on 140 million-year-old rocks
‘Appalling’ act on 140 million-year-old rocks
Australia rocked by another earthquake
Australia rocked by another earthquake
Victoria…[Read more]